The best flathead fisheries tend to be in the fish's native range. Decent numbers of flatheads have been found in the Schuylkill River, though that population of fish may negatively impact panfish species in that river section.

Though channel cats have been known to hit an assortment of baits and lures, flatheads are pretty much predators, preferring live or dead bait.

BULLHEAD
The final component of the Keystone State trinity puzzle is the bullhead. Though commonly pan-sized, both brown and yellow bullheads can grow to decent proportions. Each year, bullheads in the 2- to 4-pound range are taken from state waters, though most fish run from 10 to 16 inches.

Bullheads are eager biters, a plentiful resource often untapped in most waters, and make an excellent target species for novice anglers.

By late summer, river levels are usually low. As the dog days set in, the action for bass, walleyes, trout and panfish can become spotty. Now is one of the best times to go cattin'.

Starting in the traditional catfish range of western Pennsylvania, here's a look at 10 top waters to try this month:

ALLEGHENY RIVER
The middle and lower portions of the Allegheny provide about 200 miles of free-flowing and impounded water, a prime resource for catfish anglers in both the northwestern and southwestern portions of the state. Both flatheads and channel cats are found in the Allegheny.

The middle portion of the river -- where it's free-flowing -- runs from the Kinzua Dam tailrace to East Brady, a distance of about 125 miles.

The best catfishing water begins around Tionesta, where the cooling influence of the Kinzua's multi-level discharge is no longer a factor.

A good boat ramp is available in Tionesta, which leads into one of the middle Allegheny's dredge holes. Such deep pools, formed by dredging operations decades ago, provide the deep habitat catfish prefer.

Another deep dredge hole is at Oil City, where good boat and shore access are available on the east bank of the river south of town.

A few miles below Oil City, another deep hole can be found at the mouth of Two Mile Creek.

Dredge holes aren't the only places to find catfish. Dozens of natural deep pools exist along this lengthy stretch of river. On this portion of the Allegheny, bridge piers can be catfish hotspots. Current scours out a depression at the base of each pier, and submerged wood cover that snags on the structure adds to the likelihood that it will hold cats.

The navigable portion of the Allegheny begins near East Brady. Eight locks and dams impound the river from Brady down to Pittsburgh. The tailrace areas of the dams often provide good shore-fishing options.

Fishing platforms are present at L&Ds 9, 8, 6 and 5 near Rimer, Mosgrove, Clinton and Freeport, respectively.